The First Descendant – Promising Sci-Fi Looter Shooter
In a market filled with live-service shooters and sci-fi action games, The First Descendant makes an attempt to stand out from the rest. Developed by Nexon Games, this free-to-play third-person looter shooter combines fast-paced combat, impressive visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, and RPG-style customization into an experience that’s quite promising and somewhat uneven.
Gameplay
The First Descendant draws clear inspiration from titles like Warframe, and Destiny 2. You play the role of a Descendant, one of the few warriors left to aid in the battle against the invading alien forces known as the Vulgus. The game offers a selection of unique characters, each with distinct abilities, encouraging experimentation and tactical synergy in team-based modes.
Combat is smooth and satisfying, mixing shooting mechanics with flashy abilities. Whether you’re warping around the battlefield, dropping grav bombs, or unloading high-caliber rifles into hulking bosses, the moment-to-moment action is exhilarating. Boss fights in particular are a standout, with large-scale, co-op encounters that feel chaotic in the best way.
However, The First Descendant doen’t do much to reinvent the genre. While it executes familiar mechanics well, much of the core loop—grind missions, upgrade gear, repeat—will feel derivative to veteran players of similar games.
Advancement/Customization
Advancing in The First Descendant centers around collecting loot, crafting new gear, and unlocking new Descendants. Each character brings new skills and loadouts, but getting them requires for resources, which usually includes dungeon runs. If you enjoy the grind, there’s a satisfying rhythm to the power curve, but others may find the repetition irritating over time.
Crafting materials aren’t too hard to find, so that part’s pretty stress-free. But the inventory system can be a bit of a hassle, and it’s not always clear how to progress. It could really use things like better filters and a more helpful UI to smooth things out.
Visuals/World Design
One of The First Descendant’s strengths is its presentation. The game is totally stunning. The environments are detailed and diverse, ranging from run down urban zones to glowing alien strongholds. Character models are impressively designed, with a sleek, cybernetic look that fits the futuristic tone perfectly.
Game performance is usually solid on current-gen systems and high-end PCs, but some players have reported occasional frame drops or stuttering during intense firefights.
Multiplayer/Monetization
The First Descendant is designed with co-op multiplayer at is core, and is more fun when you run with a team. As you progress to the more challenging content, coordination becomes important, and the social dynamics greatly enhance replayability.
On the flip side, The First Descendant leans heavily into its free-to-play model. Cosmetic microtransactions are expected, but concerns have been raised about potential pay-to-win elements creeping into the progression. Currently, monetization feels restrained—but future updates could tip the balance.
Final Thoughts ★★★★☆ (4/5)
The First Descendant is a visually striking looter shooter with a solid gameplay basis, and loads of potential. It doesn’t revolutionize the genre, but it does offer enough style and substance to hook fans of sci-fi action games. With ongoing development and community feedback, The First Descendant could grow into a standout live-service title—but for now, it’s a promising work in progress.
by Lokhi D | 2 August 2025
